General Description
Upper body dark-brown, underparts white, eyes red. Bill long and pointed. When breeding: crest or tuft of black feathers on top of head and red-brown feathers (ruff) around neck. Body up to 50 cm long.
Biology
Great Crested Grebes eat their feathers to aid in digestion. They dive underwater to catch fish.
Habitat
Deep freshwater ponds and open wetlands, also coastal saltwater areas.
Coastal shores
Distribution guide
Western and eastern Australia.
Species Group
Max Size
50 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Commercial Species
Yes
Global Dispersal
Native to Australia
Conservation Status
- DSE Advisory List : Not listed
- EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
- IUCN Red List : Least Concern
Author
Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Author
Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7950
